Play and Learning in the Early Years
From Research to Practice
- Pat Broadhead - Leeds Metropolitan University, UK
- Justine Howard - University of Swansea, UK
- Elizabeth Wood - University of Sheffield, UK
Early Childhood Education
Providing high quality play experiences is an essential part of good early years education, but this can pose a challenge for practitioners who face pressure from a more didactic primary curriculum, and from parents worried that their children will fail to acquire essential skills and knowledge.
By helping the reader to develop their understanding of the complex relationships between play and learning, Play and Learning in the Early Years examines current theoretical perspectives on play, alongside examples of recent and innovative play research from a range of disciplinary and methodological perspectives. With contributions from leading play scholars, it brings together theory, research, policy and practice in relation to play and learning in early years settings. The emphasis is on the relationship between play and learning, and play and pedagogy, and the need to understand these dimensions more substantially in order to teach with confidence.
Included are chapters on:
- the influence of play on thinking, problem-solving and creativity
- cooperative play and learning
- play, risk and outdoor learning
- learning to play in cultural context
There are chapter objectives, reflective points, reflective tasks and suggestions for further reading throughout, to facilitate critical thinking and encourage independent study. Suitable for early years practitioners, early childhood students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and all those who work with and care for young children, this is an exciting and thought-provoking book.
This is a very interesting and enjoyable book to read. There are references to other chapters throughout which ties the concepts together nicely. The links to the authors research is well laid out and written an easily accessible style.
This book will be used and recommended in with 1st and 2nd year BA (hons) Early Years students
A very good read for those students who struggle to link theory to practice.
Excellent for help with planning.
A book which illustrates the essential nature of play and how it can be incorporated successfully into the EYFS. The students (Primary PGCE) were very responsive to this book and enjoyed the ideas and theory presented within.
This book was not well used for the policy assignment but will use it for the assignment 'supporting the early years curriculum' and it will be on the essential list for that module.
The chapter format of this book breaks the key issues in to easily readable chunks that are manageable by the students with each chapter supplying introductions and conclusions to help understanding.
This will be a good addition to the book list for any student who is passionate about providing an appropriate play based learning environment for children. Each chapter is clearly written and provides a comprehensive reference section which will support/signpost students in their own independent learning. Supported by useful tables, observations. I particularly liked the chapted on Risky Play as this is so topical at the moment
A very useful text with a breadth of perspectives covered, providing a comprehensive starting point for students on the Early Years Education course
Abigail Gosling, University of Bedfordshire.
Good resource when looking at the EYFS
A usefull text for my students providing some contemporary studies and literature specifically relating to the early years. The structure of the book makes sense with accessible language and easily navigable concepts.
